9 Companies Increasing Dividends

by Marc Bastow | November 2, 2012 12:53 pm

[1]Hurricane Sandy tore a path of devastation across the American Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, not to mention parts of Canada, causing billions in damages and causing American markets to close for consecutive trading days for the first time since the 1800s.

Several companies bumped earnings reports and dividend news until mid-week, but all in all, 9 companies made it onto our Companies Increasing Dividends[2]. (Note: All new yields are as of Nov. 2 midday prices.)

Infection prevention and control business Cantel Medical (NYSE:CMN[6]) increased its semi-annual dividend 17% to 5.5 cents per share, payable Dec. 14 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 14.CMN Dividend Yield: 0.42%

Cosmetics and beauty products manufacturer and marketer Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL[7]) raised its annual dividend 37% to 72 cents per share, payable Dec. 17 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 30. Estee Lauder also announced it will transition to a quarterly dividend payout schedule on its common stock beginning in calendar year 2013.EL Dividend Yield: 1.19%

Specialty ingredients maker Innophos Holdings (NASDAQ:IPHS[8]) raised its quarterly dividend 30% to 35 cents per share. No specific record or payment date has been provided at this time. Innophos’ dividend has doubled since 2010.IPHS Dividend Yield: 2.24%

Regional bank holding company Sandy Spring Bancorp (NASDAQ:SASR[9]) increased its quarterly dividend 16% to 14 cents per share, payable Nov. 14 to shareholders of record on Nov. 7. The increase represents an annual total increase in the dividend of 41% since 2011.SASR Dividend Yield: 2.96%

Diversified manufacturer Standex (NYSE:SXI[10]) raised its quarterly dividend 14% to 8 cents per share, payable Nov. 26 to shareholders of record Nov. 12. Standex has paid dividends each quarter since it became a public corporation in November 1964; the new dividend will be its 193rd consecutive quarterly payout.SXI Dividend Yield: 0.63%

Full service real-estate owner and operator Thomas Properties (NASDAQ:TPGI[11]) increased its quarterly dividend 33% to 2 cents per share, payable Nov. 29 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 15.TPGI Dividend Yield: 1.51%

Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. For more payout winners, see previous weeks’ list of Companies Increasing Dividends[12].